Posted in Blog tour, romance on February 28, 2013

alittlebitcupidblogtour-1

Synopsis:

Finding love should be easy, but wedding photographer Phoebe Ward knows better. When Cupid shows up on a crazy mission to help her —and save the world in the process—Phoebe realizes love might be even more complicated than she thought. Even with Cupid showing her Mr. Right , she can’t stop thinking about his best friend, Mr. Wrong.

Cal Crawford has never had time for love, but now he’s falling for Phoebe. Which means it’s got to be just plain wrong to set her up with his best friend, right? But even though seeing Phoebe with someone else will break his heart, he can’t walk away from her.

Phoebe can’t afford to choose the wrong guy with the fate of the world at stake. But maybe Cupid has it wrong. Maybe she has to rely just a little bit on Cupid, and a whole lot more on her heart.

Review:

This is such a cute story.  I enjoyed the twist with Cupid and Phoebe blindly following what he says instead of her heart.  It is fun read and for $0.99 it is a steal!  I give this 5 paws.

pawprintpawprintpawprintpawprintpawprint

 

About the author:

Jennifer Shirk bio pic

Jennifer Shirk has a bachelor degree in pharmacy–which has in NO WAY at all helped her with her writing career. But she likes to point it out, since it shows romantic-at-hearts come in all shapes, sizes, and mind-numbing educations.

She writes sweet (and sometimes even funny) romances for Samhain Publishing, Avalon Books/Montlake Romance and now Entangled Publishing. She won third place in the RWA 2006 NYC’s Kathryn Hayes Love and Laughter Contest with her first book, The Role of a Lifetime.

Lately she’s been on a serious exercise kick. But don’t hold that against her.

Social Media Links:
Twitter * Facebook * Website * Blog * Goodreads

Get your copy today for only 99 cents!

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Posted in Book Blast, contest, Fantasy, Giveaway, Young Adult on February 28, 2013

 

GUARDIANS INC.: THE CYPHER

A chance reading of a newspaper ad will send 16 year old Thomas Byrne into the world within our world.

Following the ad he will find Guardians Incorporated. A seven thousand year old organization charged with protecting the balance between Magic and technology.

Through their guidance, technology has kept Magic at bay since the Renaissance, but the balance is shifting and soon all those creatures we’ve driven into myth and legend will come back with a vengeance.

To protect the present, Guardians Incorporated needs to know the future and to unlock the future they need a Cypher.

 



Book Trailer

 


Guardians Inc.: The Cypher is FREE on Kindle, Nook & iBooks

Praise

USA Book News 2012 Finalist -Young Adult Fiction

“Rosado-Machain brings a light, humorous touch to themes of teenage love, loss and betrayal wrapped up in a tasty package of magical coming-of-age.”

~Kirkus Reviews

“It’s like Julian Rosado-Machain took everything that I love about middle grade children’s fiction and slammed it into one awesome, well-paced fantasy”

~Emi London Oktopusink.blogspot.com

“The Cypher hooked me from the beginning. And kept my attention right through to the very end.”

– Heidi Roth reviewthebook.com

 

Get Your Copy for FREE

 

Author Julian Rosado-Machain

Julian has enjoyed pizza in three continents, holds a degree in graphic design, built armored vehicles and computers, handcrafted alebrijes and swears has seen at least one ghost.

He is the Co-owner of Hacienda de Vega Restaurant in San Diego, California and enjoys the sun with his wife, three children and cat.

 



Book Blast Giveaway

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 3/13/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Posted in Cover Reveal, romance on February 28, 2013

SmallTownGirl

SMALL TOWN GIRL has a new cover!

Title: Small Town Girl (Small Town #1)

Author: Linda Cunningham

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

Release: November 11, 2011

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: Adult

Reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

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Book description

When Lauren Smith begrudgingly returns to the small Vermont town where she grew up to arrange for the sale of her late grandmother’s old farmhouse, she has everything she’s always worked for. Lauren drives a Mercedes. She’s engaged to one of the most powerful businessmen in the country and wears a three-carat diamond ring to prove it. She lives in a penthouse on Central Park West. 

Yes, Lauren has everything she considers important. She is smugly prepared for any eventuality in dealing with these country people so Lauren isn’t surprised when the hot water isn’t working at the old house. No problem. She simply looks in the phone book and calls the local plumber.

The moment Caleb Cochran steps through the old screen door to fix the hot water, the glittery facade that masquerades as Lauren’s life begins to crumble around her. Though she tries hard to deny their mutual, magnetic attraction, Lauren is finally forced to reevaluate her focus and come face-to-face with her true self. Small Town Girl is a story of discovering the true meaning of life and love.

This novel is the first book in the Small Town series, however, each book can be read as a stand-alone.

 

lindacunninghamAbout the Author

Linda has written steadily throughout the years, but usually other people’s papers, speeches, or articles for agricultural trade magazines. Her only published work of fiction was a children’s book, “The Copper Angel of Piper’s Mill”, written in 1988 when her children were still small. Now that the kids are out of the house, Linda is writing fiction again, and this time it’s personal! She writes full time and it’s Romance! Her first romance novel, “Small Town Girl” is being published by Omnific Publishing and should be available late summer/early fall of this year.

Linda lives in a romantic stone house in the green mountains of Vermont surrounded by her gardens and her animals who include horses, sheep, cats, dogs, chickens, a parakeet and various wildlife visitors who wander in and out at will. When time permits, she also enjoys sketching and painting.

Linda Cunningham | Facebook | Twitter

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Posted in Book Blast, Fantasy, Young Adult on February 27, 2013

red madrassa graphic

 

Red Madrassa by Terah Edun
A magical accident threw them together. But when Fate holds all the cards, it can be impossible to tell the difference between pure chance and Destiny…

The Madrassa, a magical school for mage practitioners, is the stuff of legend. With selective entrance exams and quotas for only the most advanced of mage children, it’s almost impossible to attend.

When Allorna, a guardian trainee for the royal family, ends up on the doorstep of the citadel on the eve of the final day of a recruitment ceremony, she decides it must be fate.

She was sure she knew the path her life would take before she enrolled. But sometimes life has a way of throwing in magical curveballs and strange friends, just to see if you’ll trip up.

Oh, and one of those friends is a mage accused of murder, another is a slightly psychotic dragon, the third a healer facing an existential crisis, and the last is a female storm-caller with more hidden secrets than a thief lord.

Do they all belong at the new school they call home?

 

Review:

I will have to admit I didn’t get very far into this.  The times I started reading the book, it just didn’t keep my attention.  I think the various viewpoints was throwing me off at the moment…plus sometimes with an eBook it is harder for me to flip back and forth and figure out the characters.  There were several parts that intrigued me and I will go back and try and finish the story.  But don’t let my review throw you off.  I have not always been a huge fantasy reader but there have been a few books lately that I found quite enjoyable.

Amazon * Amazon Kindle

Author Terah Edun
Terah Edun is a young adult  fantasy writer born and raised in the Atlanta metropolitan area, who transplanted to the Northeast region for college, and now lives in South Sudan. She writes the stories that she always loved to read as a young girl.

She prefers tales of adventure, magic, fellowship and courtship – in other words high fantasy. But she’s not adverse to the occasional contemporary fantasy coming her way. Sometimes you’ll see cloaks, daggers, independent and strong girls, independent and strong guys, sweet and soft spoken girls, sweet and soft spoken guys, markets, cute guys, sparkly magic and irritatingly know-it-all boys. The book she’s currently working on is SWORN TO RAISE,  the first in the Courtlight series.

Outside of writing, she’s a international development professional with a penchant for Starbucks.

 

Website * Goodreads * Facebook

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card & Red Madrassa Ebook

5 Ebooks of Red Madrassa
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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Posted in Book Blast, contest, Giveaway, romance on February 27, 2013

 

Fields of Elysium by A.B. Whelan

How can love mend a heart full of hate?

Small town girl, Molly Bennett, moves to Los Angeles where she becomes an outsider while attending Beverly Hills High School. It seems life cannot be any more dreadful. Then one day after school, something magical happens. On a secluded hike in the Hollywood Hills, Molly chases her disobedient mutt and only friend into a hidden cavern. She stumbles upon a strange glimmering gateway that transports her to Arkana, a planet that is the cradle of an advanced human race. There, teenagers navigate amazing flying vehicles, compete in perilous games for glory, and possess supernatural powers. While Molly tries to wrap her mind around this unbelievable discovery, she meets the alluring and mysterious Victor Sorren. He is a Sentinel Apprentice, whose hatred toward people from Earth is beyond understanding. Yet every time Victor unpredictably saves Molly’s life, his heart draws closer to hers, no matter how much he tries to fight against it. It further complicates things that their growing friendship is strictly forbidden. Earth people are prohibited in Arkana, yet Molly continues to cross through the portal to Arkana to see Victor. Torn between their double lives, they go down a dangerous path, from where there is no return and multiple endings.

Fields of Elysium is a suspenseful, romantic tale full of forbidden secrets, unimaginable danger, deception, and the never-ending fight for true love.

 

PRAISE

“The novel’s take on otherworldly travel is a compelling one, and the romantic plot will likely appeal to Twilight fans.” – Kirkus Reviews

“I expected a good love story with a paranormal twist. I got so much more. I think you should take the chance and read it. Let this book take you on the adventure, fall in love.” – Young Adult and Teen Readers

“Fields of Elysium is a fabulous read. … Whelan paints her faith into the fabric of her story with deft, light brushstrokes, making her work accessible to all, no matter their spiritual beliefs or background.” – Readers Favorite

“I escaped into this fantasy world, author, A.B.Whelan, created and I didn’t want Molly to go. From detailed descriptions, to sweet romance, and to all the twist and turns in the story, it had me captivated from page one.” – Mary Ting, author of the Crossroads Saga

“Whelan’s writing is very vivid and descriptive. It’s more formal than the average YA novel, but I enjoyed the lyrical and mesmerizing quality to it. I thought the overall story read like a fairy tale–very sweet.” – Megan Thomason, author of Daynight

 

Author A.B. Whelan

A.B.Whelan is a Hungarian born, American writer. She currently lives with her husband and two children in Southern California.

While growing up in a wealthy Eastern European family, she had a chance to travel Europe. Later as an adult, she visited Africa and the Middle East and lived in Ecuador and in Crete.

 

 

 

 

Tour Schedule

$50 Book Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash plus a gift bag of one signed copy of Fields of Elysium, a scrabble-tile pendant with a butterfly image on a chain necklace, and a fridge magnet.

Ends 3/11/13

Gift Bag open to US only.  If winner is international they will receive only the gift card or paypal cash.

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Posted in Cover Reveal, romance on February 26, 2013

EmancipatingAndie

Title: Emancipating Andie

Author: Priscilla Glenn

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: Adult

Cover Designer: Okay Creations

Expected release: March 2013

Links to find the book:

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Book Description

Ever since the one time Andie Weber threw caution to the wind – and paid the price for it – she’s learned that it’s safer and smarter to live life playing by the rules. Now she’s got a great apartment, a steady job, and a wonderful boyfriend in Colin; he’s sweet, stable, and essentially perfect – except maybe for the fact that his best friend is Chase.

Chase McGuire lives his carefree, unstructured life strictly for himself. Dripping sarcasm and oozing wit, he refuses to censor his feelings or opinions for anyone, making no apologies for either and wearing his abrasiveness like a badge of honor. No one has ever gotten under Andie’s skin the way Chase does – and vice versa.

So when Andie and Chase find themselves forced to take a two-day road trip together, they are already dreading an inevitable all-out war. But as the trip progresses, and the undeniable friction that has always defined their relationship slowly begins to wear away their preconceived notions of each other, Andie and Chase discover they both have a lot to learn about life, courage, happiness, and the age-old battle between logic and love.

Priscilla GlennAbout the Author

Priscilla Glenn lives in New York with her husband and three children. She has been teaching English Language Arts at the middle and high school levels for the past eleven years while moonlighting as a writer, mommy, coach, student, and professional laundry-doer.

If you catch her when she’s feeling sophisticated, she’ll tell you her favorite things are great books and good wine. In the moments in between, she’ll admit her love for anything Ben and Jerry’s, UFC fights, and Robert Pattinson.

Glenn is also the author of the contemporary romance/YA crossover BACK TO YOU.

 

Twitter | Facebook

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Posted in Cozy, Monday, mystery on February 25, 2013

Today’s feature brings you the start of a new series by author Kylie Logan (AKA Miranda Bliss and Casey Daniels).  This book was written in 2011 but I just picked it up recently.  I have read all of the books in the Miranda Bliss series and had NO idea this was the same author.

buttonholed

Synopis:

Working out of her button shop in a Chicago brownstone, Josie Giancola has become one of the country’s leading experts on buttons. Her reputation draws a Hollywood starlet to the Button Box to shop for one-of-a-kind buttons to adorn her made-to-order wedding gown.

But after the Button Box is ransacked and the actress murdered, Josie’s cozy world is thrown into chaos—and a killer is out to keep Josie’s lips buttoned up…permanently.

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Posted in contest, e-books, Giveaway on February 23, 2013

I have a lot of giveaways going on my blog and thought I would help you find the ones that are still open so you can enter for a chance to win!

$50 Amazon or Paypal giveaway – Baked Alaska by Josie Kilpack (ends 3/17)

$50 Amazon or Paypal giveaway – The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back by Sariah Wilson (ends 3/5)

eBook of Helen Smith’s 2 books, Three Sisters and Showstoppers (10 winners and ends 2/28)

$50 Amazon or Paypal giveaway – Red Madrassa by Terah Edum (ends 2/28)

The first two books of the Rule of Ten series by Gay Hendricks – US Only (ends 2/28)

Kindle Fire or Amazon cash or Paypal cash (ends 2/28)

Kindle or Nook or if the winner is international, a $100 gift card to a bookstore

Hardback copy of The Other Woman by Hank Phillippi Ryan (ends 2/28) – US only

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Posted in Book Blast, romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult on February 23, 2013

samFINAL

Title: The Samantha Project

Author: Stephanie Karpinske

Release date: November 15, 2012

Genre:  Science Fiction/Romance/Thriller

Age Group: Young Adult

Buy Links:   Amazon * Barnes & Noble

 

Book Description:

Seventeen-year-old Samantha Andrews has a seemingly perfect life; great parents, early admission to Stanford, and a boyfriend who just happens to be the hottest guy in school. But a dark secret from her past turns her world upside down. Sam discovers she’s part of a global corporation’s genetic enhancement project. And just as she’s learning what these enhanced genes can do, the corporation decides they want her, and the technology inside her, back!

During a heart-pounding race to flee from her pursuers, she encounters another person who was part of the experimental project. He’s tall, blond, tan and completely irresistible! And he can read her thoughts!! Together, they’re both in danger and a rogue scientist discovers yet another secret lies inside them.

 

Excerpt

 

“I heard you were going to the dance. That’s a first.” I looked up to find Caitlyn Morgan staring down at me, her eyes barely visible behind the bright blond hair that was always falling on her face. Her short cheerleading skirt showed off her fake tan, which looked orange in the fluorescent lighting of the cafeteria.

“I’ll be there,” I muttered, keeping my eyes on my book.

“You don’t have to go, you know. Colin would be fine going on his own. Caitlyn can keep him company.” This time it was Stacey talking, twisting her dark brown hair around her finger as she talked. She also wore a cheerleader uniform and had the same orange glow as Caitlyn. They must have gone to the same tanning place.

“I’m sure he would love that,” I said, “if he loved brainless cheerleaders whose only goal in life is to get laid by the entire football team.”

I regretted saying it as soon the words came out. Caitlyn had a way of bringing out the worst in me. I had never liked her, but then when she and Colin dated, I grew to hate her, even though I knew that wasn’t a good reason to hate someone. After all, Colin had a part in the two of them dating and I didn’t hate him.

I never understood what Colin was thinking dating her. Sure, it was years ago, but really? Caitlyn? He couldn’t have picked someone else? Anyone? I looked back to find Colin still waiting in line. What was taking him so long?

“You’re so jealous of us, Sam. It’s really pathetic,” Caitlyn said, sweeping her long hair out of her face. “And in case you forgot, I’ve already had Colin. Maybe it’s time to take him back. I only left him alone because I felt sorry for you and what a loser you are. But now that you’re technically graduating in a few weeks, I think it’s time for some competition. What do you think, Stacey?”

“Definitely. I love competition, especially when it involves Colin. Go Caitlyn!” Stacey did a little mock cheer, waving some fake pompoms in the air.

I could feel my face heating up but didn’t want to give them the satisfaction that they were getting to me. “Well, good luck with that.”

“It’s like you always say, Sam. A girl’s gotta have goals.” She straightened up to stick her chest out as she looked behind me. “And here he comes now. Hi, Colin. You look really hot today. I love that shirt.”

Caitlyn walked past him, brushing her chest on his arm as she turned. Stacey followed close behind. I felt sick, remembering why I wanted to graduate early.

 

About the Author

A former editor for a publishing company, Stephanie Karpinske has worked on several bestselling nonfiction books. Now she freelances full-time, writing for a variety of books and national magazines. The Samantha Project is her debut YA novel and is the first in The Samantha Project series. Stephanie lives in Des Moines, Iowa.  You can find her on Twitter or on Goodreads.

 

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Posted in Book Blast, romance on February 22, 2013

boysofsummer

Title: The Boys of Summer

Author: C.J. Duggan

Release date: December 17th 2012

Genre: Romance

Age Group: New Adult

Purchase:

Amazon (U.S) Digital * Amazon (U.S) Paperback * Amazon (U.K) Digital * Amazon (U.K) Paperback * Barnes and Noble * Apple iBooks * Kobo * Smashwords

Book Description:

It seemed only natural to nickname them the ‘Onslow Boys’. Every time they swaggered in the front door of the Onslow Hotel after a hard week’s work, their laughter was loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition, a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn’t help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him … Toby Morrison.

Quiet seventeen-year-old Tess doesn’t relish the thought of a summertime job. She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins.
To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets.

How did she let her friends talk her into working?

After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos.

All with the one boy she has never been able to forget.

It will be a summer she will always remember.

Warning: sexual references and occasional course language.

 

CJ DuganAbout the Author

C.J Duggan is an Australian author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia.
The Boys of Summer is Book One in her Mature Young Adult Romance Series.
For more on C.J and ‘The Summer Series’, visit her website

Author social media links:

Website * Blog *  Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Boys of Summer Facebook

 

 

 

Excerpt

“Don’t you dare.” I grabbed his arm, pulling him backwards. His eyes darted to where my hand rested on him. I didn’t move my hand, I couldn’t physically bring myself to break the contact; all of a sudden there were no smiles, no jokes, just him and me and our space on the couch. I could only hear the music and be aware of the heat of his skin and the rapid rise and fall of my chest in this moment.

The only thing that snapped me out of my daze was Toby’s words which seemed low and raspy.

“Is Adam your boyfriend?” His gaze flicked over my face as he waited for my answer. My mouth gaped open; I couldn’t hide the fact I was dumbfounded by the question.

I blinked quickly and took my hand from his arm. I struggled to construct a legible sentence.

“Oh – um, no, we’re just friends, it’s not like that.”

His stony expression didn’t falter, didn’t reveal any kind of emotion. He was so hard to read, and I wanted to read him so badly. He gave a small nod and handed me the CD cover.

“Better go and make sure these guys aren’t cheating.” And without another word, he got up and headed towards the pool table.

 

 

Inspiration for BOYS OF SUMMER

By C. J. Dugan

It was something that has been churning in my mind since I was a little girl, even if it was something no more mapped out than a group of friends hanging lakeside over a summer. It was an idea that has manifested into an entire world and I felt that I owed it to that eleven-year-old little me to develop it into a story. I know I was eleven because I had found an old exercise book with the story plotted out in my child-like handwriting and I could seldom believe it was something that had been swimming around in my subconscious for so long. It fell perfectly in line with me doing NaNo that year (National Novel Writing Month) and that was that, in one month I smashed out the bones of ‘The Boys of Summer’ (TBoS). In writing TBoS I really wanted to capture the essence of growing up in Australia. I set it in a small fictional lake side town in the 90’s to give it a certain flavor and provide a rich setting for a coming of age story, it is an absolute labor of love.

 

 

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